Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Johann Nepomuk Kanka in Prag, Wien, 11. Januar 1815, Autograph

In 1809 Beethoven had negotiated an annuity agreement, in which three of his patrons guaranteed him a certain annual sum of money. Following the death of Prince Kinsky (1812), one of the patrons, a disagreement arose with Kinsky's heirs, as the payment agreement had only been an oral one. Beethoven considered taking legal action in Prague.

This letter also concerns this matter and refers to a letter from Pasqualati, which has no longer survived. Pasqualati, who supported Beethoven's interests as did the lawyer Kanka, had advised him against going to court. Beethoven now informs him that he has already sent off the charge, although first of all only to Kanka so that he can look through it, and not to the court. A forthcoming council meeting in Vienna will also address the issue - he will inform him of any outcome.

Beethoven is disappointed; he had trusted the prince's oral assurances. The only reason why he cannot force the heirs to pay is because he does not have any written proof.